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United States Patent |
6,090,054
|
Tagishi
,   et al.
|
July 18, 2000
|
Ultrasonic wave cosmetic device
Abstract
An improved ultrasonic wave cosmetic device which is able to protect skin
against burns. The ultrasonic wave cosmetic device for treating skin
includes a probe head having a skin contact metal surface for contacting
the skin to transmit an ultrasonic wave thereto, an ultrasonic wave
vibration element for vibrating at an ultrasonic wave frequency in
response to an output signal from an ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit,
and a temperature sensor mounted in a manner directly contacting a side
surface of the ultrasonic wave vibration element and a surface opposite
the skin contact metal surface for detecting the temperature of the probe
head. The temperature sensor feeds back signals to the oscillation circuit
which terminates the oscillation output signal when the probe head gets
too hot.
Inventors:
|
Tagishi; Hiroyuki (Hikone, JP);
Sakamoto; Toshihiro (Shiga, JP);
Ikadai; Kazuyasu (Hikone, JP)
|
Assignee:
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Matsushia Electric Works, Ltd. ()
|
Appl. No.:
|
097113 |
Filed:
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June 12, 1998 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
601/2; 601/15 |
Intern'l Class: |
A61H 001/00 |
Field of Search: |
601/2,19,46,52,15
607/98
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2183726 | Dec., 1939 | Sommer et al. | 128/24.
|
3828769 | Aug., 1974 | Mettler | 128/24.
|
4787373 | Nov., 1988 | Vogel | 128/24.
|
4823042 | Apr., 1989 | Coffey et al. | 310/322.
|
5176130 | Jan., 1993 | Kim | 250/495.
|
5690608 | Nov., 1997 | Watanabe et al. | 601/19.
|
5755753 | May., 1998 | Knowlton | 607/98.
|
Primary Examiner: Lateef; Marvin M.
Assistant Examiner: Mercader; Eleni Mantis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Muramatsu & Associates
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device for treating skin, comprising:
a probe head having a skin contact metal surface for contacting the skin to
transmit an ultrasonic wave to the skin, the probe head having a cup-like
opening on a side opposite to the skin contact metal surface;
an ultrasonic wave vibration element mounted in the cup-like opening in the
probe head for generating the ultrasonic wave by vibrating at an
ultrasonic wave frequency in response to an output signal from an
ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit; and
a temperature sensor mounted in a space between the ultrasonic wave
vibration element and an inner wall of the cup-like opening in a manner
directly contacting both a side surface of the ultrasonic wave vibration
element and a surface opposite to the skin contact metal surface for
detecting a temperature of the probe head and supplying a detection signal
to the ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit, for controlling the output
signal of the ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit to maintain the
temperature of the probe head lower than a predetermined level.
2. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
probe head is attached to one end of a grip at an exterior angle smaller
than 90.degree. relative to a longitudinal direction of the grip.
3. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 2, wherein the
exterior angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the grip is about
75.degree..
4. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
probe head is attached to one end of a grip having an attachment opening
where the grip is formed with an upper grip housing and a lower grip
housing.
5. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 1, wherein the
probe head is attached to one end of a grip and has a cup-like opening in
which the ultrasonic wave vibration element is mounted, and a head
attachment elastic body having a cup-like shape is inserted in the
cup-like opening.
6. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 5, wherein the
head attachment elastic body has a flange at an outer surface, and one
surface of the flange has an annular groove to receive a rim of the
cup-like opening of the probe head when the head attachment elastic body
is inserted in the cup-like opening.
7. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 5, wherein the
head attachment elastic body has a plurality of elastic projections which
elastically contact an inner surface of the cup-like opening of the probe
head when the head attachment elastic body is inserted in the cup-like
opening, thereby establishing a water tight seal.
8. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 7, wherein an
elastic ring is provided at the outer surface of the probe head which is
inserted by the head attachment elastic body therein, and the probe head
is fitted in an attachment opening provided at one end of the grip until
the flange contacts a head receiving step on the attachment opening
through the elastic ring.
9. An ultrasonic wave cosmetic device as defined in claim 5, wherein the
head attachment elastic body is made of rubber.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an ultrasonic wave cosmetic device for treating
skin, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic wave cosmetic device which
has a temperature sensor to maintain the temperature of a probe head of
the device within a predetermined range.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ultrasonic waves have a vibration frequency higher than 20,000 Hz in which
sounds of the vibration are not recognizable by human ears. Ultrasonic
waves have a variety of applications, one of which is ultrasonic skin
cleaning for cosmetic or other purposes. An example of an ultrasonic wave
cosmetic device in the conventional technology is shown in Japanese
Utility Model Registration No. 3015061. In this conventional example, a
metallic probe head is provided with an ultrasonic wave vibration element
on a surface opposite to a probe head metal surface which directly
contacts the skin.
In the conventional ultrasonic wave cosmetic device noted above, the
temperature of the ultrasonic wave vibration element as well as the probe
head metal surface that contacts the skin (skin contact metal surface) may
increase to a level which is too high for human skin. Such an increase in
the temperature occurs when the ultrasonic wave vibration element is
continuously driven for a long period of time or the ultrasonic wave is
concentrated on a fixed point of the skin for a relatively long time.
Therefore, one problem with conventional cosmetic devices of this kind is
that they may burn or otherwise adversely affect the skin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic wave
cosmetic device which is capable of regulating the temperature of a probe
head of the cosmetic device to protect the skin.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic wave
cosmetic device which is capable of sensing the temperature in an area
adjacent to an ultrasonic vibration element and a skin contact metal
surface to regulate the temperature thereof so as not to exceed a
predetermined level.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic
wave cosmetic device which has a temperature sensor to provide an on/off
control for operation of an ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic
wave cosmetic device in which an ultrasonic vibration element, cable,
connector, and temperature sensor are snugly mounted in a small space of
the probe head.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic
wave cosmetic device which can ensure safe operation by having a
temperature sensor in a probe head and with a relatively simple structure
and low cost.
The ultrasonic wave cosmetic device for treating skin includes a probe head
having a skin contact metal surface for contacting the skin to transmit an
ultrasonic wave to the skin, an ultrasonic wave vibration element for
vibrating at an ultrasonic wave frequency in response to an output signal
from an ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit, and a temperature sensor
mounted in a manner to directly contact a side surface of the ultrasonic
wave vibration element and an opposite surface of the skin contact metal
surface for detecting the temperature of the probe head.
Accordingly, the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device of the present invention
is able to regulate the temperature of the probe head to protect the skin.
The ultrasonic wave cosmetic device can sense the temperature in an area
adjacent to the ultrasonic vibration element and the skin contact metal
surface to regulate the temperature thereof so as not to exceed the
predetermined temperature level. By the temperature sensor in the probe
head, the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device can provide an on/off control
for operation of the ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit.
The probe head has a cup-like opening in which the ultrasonic wave
vibration element is mounted on a bottom surface of the probe head, and a
small space is created between the side surface of the ultrasonic wave
vibration element and an inner wall of the cup-like opening in which the
temperature sensor is mounted. Thus, by directly contacting the ultrasonic
wave vibration element and the opposite surface of the probe head, the
temperature sensor can immediately detect whether the temperature reaches
the higher or lower limits.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the probe head has a cup-like
opening in which the ultrasonic wave vibration element is mounted on a
bottom surface of the probe head, and a head attachment elastic body
having a cup-like shape is inserted in the cup-like opening. The head
attachment elastic body has a flange at an outer surface, a lower surface
of the flange has an annular groove to receive a rim of the cup-like
opening of the probe head when the head attachment elastic body is
inserted in the cup-like opening. Further, the head attachment elastic
body has a plurality of elastic projections which elastically contact an
inner surface of the cup-like opening of the probe head when the head
attachment elastic body is inserted in the cup-like opening. Accordingly,
the probe head is firmly attached to the grip thereby establishing a water
tight seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall outer structure of the
ultrasonic wave cosmetic device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the probe of the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the probe of the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the probe of the ultrasonic wave
cosmetic device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the probe of the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device
of FIG. 1 without an upper grip housing thereof.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the probe of the ultrasonic wave
cosmetic device of the present invention to which a head attachment
elastic body is attached.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the probe of the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device
of the present invention having the head attachment elastic body of FIG. 6
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in the
following with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the
ultrasonic wave cosmetic device 4 of the present invention consists of a
main case 9 which includes therein an ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit
(not shown) to generate ultrasonic waves, a probe 1 which applies an
ultrasonic vibration to the skin of a user, a cable 10 to connect the
probe 1 and the ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit provided in the main
case 9. The main case 9 further includes a probe storage compartment 11, a
control panel 12, an open-close lid 13, and a power supply cable (not
shown). The power supply cable is stored in a power supply cable
compartment (not shown) provided in the main case 9.
In the probe 1, a head attachment 15 is provided at one end of a grip 14 as
shown from FIG. 2 to FIG. 5. The probe 1 has a probe head 2 attached in an
attachment opening 16 provided in the head attachment 15. The probe head 2
has an ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 (FIG. 6) which vibrates at an
ultrasonic frequency in response to the output signal from the ultrasonic
wave oscillation circuit in the main case 9.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the grip 14 is formed with an upper grip housing
14a and a lower grip housing 14b which are fastened together by screws 31.
The attachment opening 16 mentioned above is formed in the lower grip
housing 14b. A head receiving step 17 is provided at the deep end and
inner circumference of the attachment opening 16 as shown in FIG. 4.
Moreover, the grip 14 further includes support arms 30 at the front end of
the upper grip housing 14a in the vertical direction of FIG. 4 to
pressingly support the probe head 2 as will be described later.
With reference to FIG. 6, the probe head 2 is made of metal and has a
cup-like shape where a front end 18 of the probe head 2 is a skin contact
metal surface 3 which contacts the skin. The opposite side of the skin
contact metal surface 3 of the probe head 2 defines a cup-like opening 7
having the front end 18 as its bottom. The ultrasonic wave vibration
element 5 is mounted on an inner surface of the bottom (front end) 18 of
the cup-like opening 7 by an adhesive 19. The ultrasonic wave vibration
element 5 is driven by the output signal of the ultrasonic wave
oscillation circuit in the main case 9 to vibrate at ultrasonic wave
frequencies. The ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 has a diameter
smaller than an inner diameter of the probe head 2 so that a small space 8
is created between the ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 and the inner
wall of the cup-like opening 7.
A temperature sensor 6 is installed in the small space 8 formed between the
ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 and the inner wall of the opening 7.
When it is mounted by the adhesive 19, the temperature sensor 6 contacts
both the side surface of the ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 and the
skin contact surface 3 of the probe head 2. By directly attaching the
ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 and the opposite surface of the probe
head 2 in this manner, the temperature sensor 6 can immediately detect any
temperature changes of the vibration element and probe head.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a head attachment elastic body 20 which is made
of an elastic material, such as rubber, is provided on the cup-like
opening 7. The probe head 2 is to be attached to the grip 14 through the
head attachment elastic body 20. The head attachment elastic body 20
functions to prevent the ultrasonic vibrations produced by the ultrasonic
vibration element 5 from being transmitted to the grip 14. Thus, the
ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the skin only through the probe head 2.
The head attachment elastic body 20 has a cup-like shape formed with a
bottom portion 29 and a tubular portion 21 as shown in FIG. 6. At about a
middle position of the tubular portion 21, the elastic body 20 has a
flange 22 integrally formed on the outer surface of the tubular portion
21. The flange 22 has an annular groove 22a at an upper surface thereof
facing the probe head 2 as shown in FIG. 6. Further, a plurality of
elastic projections 23 are provided at the outer surface of the tubular
portion 21. Preferably, the elastic projections 23 are continuous around
the outer surface of the tubular portion 21 like a screw thread. The head
attachment elastic body 20 also has a cable hole 24 at a corner of the
bottom end thereof.
When the tubular portion 21 of the head attachment elastic body 20 is
inserted in the cup-like opening 7 of the probe head 2, the plurality of
elastic projections 23 elastically contact the inner wall of the cup-like
opening 7 to establish a water tight seal therebetween. Further, a rim
portion 25 of the cup-like opening 7 fits in the annular groove 22a of the
flange 22.
The cable 10 which transmits the drive signal from the ultrasonic wave
oscillation circuit in the main case 9 to the probe head 2 is introduced
through the cable hole 24. The cable 10 also transmits a detection signal
from the temperature sensor 6 to the ultrasonic wave vibration oscillator
in the main case 9. The inner rim of the cable hole 24 elastically
conforms the cable 10 so that a water proof seal is established
therebetween. Further, because of the water proof seal, the cable 10 is
tightly held in the head attachment elastic body 20. The cable 10 is
connected to the ultrasonic vibration element 5 and temperature sensor 6
through a connector 26 in the head attachment elastic body 20. The
connector 26 is attached to the inner wall of the head attachment elastic
body 20. Thus, the cable 10 is firmly supported within the elastic body 20
by the cable hole 4 and the connector 26.
As in the foregoing, since the end of the cup-like opening 7 of the probe
head 2 is provided with the head attachment elastic body 20 made of
elastic materials such as rubber, the water tight seal is established to
protect the electric components including the ultrasonic wave vibration
element 5 in the probe head 2.
Preferably, an elastic ring 27 is provided at the outer surface of the
probe head 2 as shown in FIG. 4. The upper end of the elastic ring 27 is a
rim 28 which contacts the flange 22 of the head attachment elastic body
20. Although it may not be absolutely necessary, the elastic ring 27 is
useful to prevent water or other unwanted objects from coming into the
grip 14.
With the elastic ring 27 and the attachment elastic body 20 thereon, the
probe head 2 is fitted in the attachment opening 16 provided on the lower
grip housing 14b as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The probe head 2 is inserted
in the attachment opening 16 until the flange 22 of the head attachment
elastic body 20 contacts the head receiving step 17 of the opening 16
through the rim 28 of the elastic ring 27. Then, the upper grip housing
14a and the lower grip housing 14 are fastened together by the screws 31
so that the head attachment elastic body 20 is pressed by the support arms
30 at the rear.
As in the foregoing, the probe head 2 is attached to the head attachment 15
through the head attachment elastic body 20 at the attachment opening 16.
The probe head 2 is projected through the attachment opening 16 as shown
in FIGS. 2 and 4. Preferably, the direction A of the probe head 2 has an
angle (exterior angle) smaller than 90.degree., or an optimum angle of
about 75.degree., relative to the direction B of the grip 14 as shown in
FIG. 2. The projection length of the probe head 2 is, for example 15 mm,
also as shown in FIG. 2. By this angle and length, the probe head 2 can
smoothly provide the ultrasonic wave through the skin contact metal
surface 3 to the nose or cheek of the user.
The probe 1 of the present invention configured in the foregoing applies
the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave vibration element 5
to the skin. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted through the metal surface
of the probe head 2, thereby cleaning the pores and removing the keratin
from the skin as well as fitting the skin.
In the case where the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device is used in a long
period of time or on a fixed spot of the skin, the temperature of the
ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 as well as the skin contact metal
surface 3 will rise. To prevent the possible burning or other injury to
the skin, the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device of the present invention
sends a detection signal from the temperature sensor 6 to the oscillation
circuit through the cable 10 to temporarily terminate the vibration of the
ultrasonic wave vibration element 5. For example, the temperature sensor 6
sends the detection signal when the temperature of the ultrasonic wave
vibration element 5 or the skin contact metal surface 3 reaches a
predetermined higher limit, such as 45.degree. C. As a result, the
oscillation signal from the ultrasonic oscillation circuit is prevented
from being supplied to the vibration element 5.
Since the ultrasonic wave vibration is not active, the temperature of the
ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 and the skin contact metal surface 3
decreases. When the temperature reaches a predetermined lower limit, such
as 41.degree. C., the temperature sensor 6 supplies a detection signal to
the ultrasonic wave oscillation circuit. Thus, the ultrasonic wave
vibration element 5 is driven again by the oscillator circuit to transmit
the ultrasonic wave to the skin through the probe head 2.
The temperature sensor 6 is mounted in the space 8 in such a manner to
contact the side surface of the ultrasonic wave vibration element 5 and
the surface opposite to the skin contact metal surface 3 of the probe head
2. Thus, by directly contacting the ultrasonic wave vibration element 5
and the opposite surface of the probe head 2, the temperature sensor 6 can
immediately detect whether the temperature reaches the higher or lower
limits.
The ultrasonic wave cosmetic device of the present invention can protect
the user from a burn or any such injury to the skin by restricting the
temperature rise of the probe head with the use of the temperature sensor
feedback. The temperature sensor is mounted in a small space formed by the
side of the ultrasonic vibration element and the inner wall of the
cup-like opening of the probe head in a manner to effectively sense both
the temperature of the vibration element and that of the skin contact
metal surface. Thus, the ultrasonic wave cosmetic device of the present
invention can achieve safe operation with the use of relatively simple and
low cost components.
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